Vehicle brake system

ABSTRACT

There is provided a vehicle brake system wherein it is possible to prevent the ingress of brake fluid leaking from the cylinder main body of an electric brake actuator constituting the vehicle brake system, and to dispose the electric brake actuator in a power plant storage chamber in a space-efficient manner. A vehicle brake system configured by disposing an input device and a motor cylinder for generating brake fluid pressure by driving a hydraulic pressure controlling piston stored in a cylindrical cylinder main body by means of an electric motor at least in accordance with the brake operation, the vehicle brake system being characterized in that: the motor cylinder is attached in a manner such that at least a portion of the cylinder main body overlaps with a power plant in the vehicle up and down direction; and the electric motor is disposed on top of the cylinder main body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle brake system provided with an electric brake actuator for generating a hydraulic brake pressure by a rotational driving force of an electric motor when a braking operation section is operated.

BACKGROUND ART

Vehicle brake systems, which are provided with a servo unit for boosting the braking effort when a brake pedal is pedaled, are widely known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electric brake actuator (electric servo unit) using an electric motor as a force boosting source.

The electric brake actuator disclosed by Patent Document 1 is configured as follows. A main piston is formed by a shaft member that moves forward and backward by an operation of a brake pedal, and a booster piston is formed by a cylindrical member outer fitted to the shaft member (main piston). The electric brake actuator is arranged such that a thrust force that is input from the brake pedal to the shaft member (main piton) and a thrust force applied by an electric motor to the cylindrical member (booster piston) generate a hydraulic brake pressure to boost the braking effort.

BACKGROUND ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

Patent Document 1: JP2010-23594 A

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the electric brake actuator disclosed by Patent Document 1, an electric motor is built in a cylinder main body (housing) for housing the main piston and the booster piston. Accordingly, when brake fluid sealed in the cylinder main body internally leaks out, the brake fluid may enter the electric motor side.

Further, as the electric brake actuator is an integrated type in which the electric motor is built in the cylinder main body, which makes the size of the cylinder main body large. Accordingly, in case of housing an electric brake actuator in a power plant hosing room for housing a power plant, there is a problem that an appropriate disposition for improving the space efficiency is difficult.

In this situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle brake system that can prevent brake fluid from entering, the brake fluid having leaked from the cylinder main body of an electric brake actuator of the vehicle brake system, and allows disposing the electric brake actuator in a power plant housing room with a high space efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to attain the object, in an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle brake system includes: an input device to which braking operation by an operator is input; and an electric brake actuator for generating a hydraulic brake pressure by driving a hydraulic pressure control piston housed in a cylinder main body by an electric motor, according to at least the braking operation, wherein the input device and the electric brake actuator are mounted on a vehicle, and wherein the electric motor is disposed higher than the cylinder main body.

According to this aspect of the invention, the electric motor for driving the hydraulic pressure control piston that slides inside the cylinder main body can be disposed higher than the cylinder main body.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent brake fluid, which has leaked out from the cylinder main body, from entering the electric motor.

Further, as the electric motor is disposed higher than the cylinder main body, it is not necessary to ensure a space for disposing the electric motor, side to the cylinder main body, enabling improvement in the space efficiency.

In another aspect of the invention, at least one portion of the cylinder main body is disposed such as to overlap with a vehicle power unit with respect to an upper and lower direction of the vehicle. Still further, the at least one portion of the cylinder main body is disposed higher than the vehicle power unit.

According to this aspect of the invention, at least one portion of the cylinder main body can be disposed higher than the vehicle power unit with an overlap with respect to the upper and lower direction of the vehicle. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively use the space above the vehicle power unit and dispose the electric brake actuator in the power plant housing room with a high space efficiency.

In still another aspect of the invention, the electric motor is disposed in a space formed between a vehicle power unit, the vehicle power unit being disposed between front side members that extend along a front and rear direction on a left side and a right side of the vehicle, and either one of the front side members.

According to this aspect of the invention, the electric motor of the electric brake actuator can be disposed between the vehicle power unit and the front side member. Accordingly, the space between the vehicle power unit and the front side member can be effectively used, and the electric brake actuator can thereby be disposed in the power plant housing room with a high efficiency.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a vehicle power unit is disposed between front side members that extend along a front and rear direction on a left side and a right side of the vehicle, and the cylinder main body is disposed in a space formed between the vehicle power unit and either one of the front side members such that an axial direction of the hydraulic pressure control piston is along an extending direction of the either one of the front side members.

According to this aspect of the invention, the cylinder main body of the electric brake actuator can be disposed between the vehicle power unit and the front side member. Accordingly, the space between the vehicle power unit and the front side member can be effectively used, and the electric brake actuator can be disposed in the power plant housing room with a high space efficiency.

In still another aspect of the invention, the electric motor of the electric brake actuator is disposed at a position rotated in a direction getting away from the vehicle power unit, with an axial line of the hydraulic pressure control piston as a center, such that the axial direction of the hydraulic pressure control piston and an output shaft of the electric motor are substantially parallel to each other.

According to this aspect of the invention, the electric motor of the electric brake actuator can be disposed at a position rotated in the direction getting away from the vehicle power unit, with the axial line of the hydraulic pressure control piston as the center of rotation. Accordingly, the electric motor can be disposed in the space on the outer side of the vehicle than the cylinder main body, and the electric brake actuator cab be disposed in the power plant housing room with a high space efficiency.

Advantages of the Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle brake system that can prevent brake fluid from entering, the brake fluid having leaked from the cylinder main body of an electric brake actuator of the vehicle brake system, and allows disposing the electric brake actuator in a power plant housing room with a high space efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle brake system in the present embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state that a motor cylinder device is disposed in a power plant housing room;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the power plant housing room where the motor cylinder device is disposed;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the motor cylinder device;

FIG. 5 shows an example of arrangement of attaching the motor cylinder device to a bracket;

FIG. 6 shows a state that an electric motor is disposed between a power plant and a front side member in a view from above; and

FIG. 7( a) is a plan view of the power plant housing room in which the motor cylinder device is disposed between the power plant and the front side member, and

FIG. 7( b) shows a state that the electric motor is disposed at a position rotated in a direction getting away from the power plant in a view from the front.

EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail, referring to the drawings, as appropriate. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle brake system in the present embodiment according to the present invention.

A vehicle brake system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes two brake systems one of which is a brake system of a by-wire type for a normal use, which operates a brake by transmitting an electric signal, and the other one is a brake system of a conventional hydraulic type for fail-safe, which operates a brake by transmitting a hydraulic pressure.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle brake system 10 is configured basically by an input device 14 for inputting an operation by an operator when a brake operation section, such as a pedal 12, is operated by an operator, an electric brake actuator (a motor cylinder device 16) for controlling (generating) a hydraulic brake pressure, and a vehicle behavior stabilizing device 18 (hereinafter, referred to as the VSA device 18, VSA: registered trademark) for assisting stabilization of the behavior of the vehicle, as separated units.

These devices, namely, the input device 14, the motor cylinder device 16, and the VSA device 18 are connected by hydraulic passages formed by a tube material, for example, a hose or a tube. Further, as a by-wire brake system, the input device 14 and the motor cylinder device 16 are electrically connected by a harness, not shown.

Regarding the hydraulic passages, with a connection point A1 in FIG. 1 (a little lower than the center) as a reference, a connection port 20 a of the input device 14 and the connection point A1 are connected by a first piping tube 22 a. Further, an output port 24 a of the motor cylinder device 16 and the connection point A1 are connected by a second piping tube 22 b. Further, an inlet port 26 a of the VSA device 18 and the connection point A1 are connected by a third piping tube 22 c.

With another connection point A2 in FIG. 1 as a reference, another connection port 20 b of the input device 14 and the connection point A2 are connected by a fourth piping tube 22 d. Further, another output port 24 b of the motor cylinder device 16 and the connection point A2 are connected by a fifth piping tube 22 e. Still further, another inlet port 26 b of the VSA device 18 and the connection point A2 are connected by a sixth piping tube 22 f.

The VSA device 18 is provided with a plurality of outlet ports 28 a to 28 d. The first outlet port 28 a is connected, by a seventh piping tube 22 g, with a wheel cylinder 32FR of a disk brake mechanism 30 a provided at the front wheel on the right side. The second outlet port 28 b is connected, by an eighth piping tube 22 h, with a wheel cylinder 32RL of a disk brake mechanism 30 b provided at the rear wheel on the left side. The third outlet port 28 c is connected, by a ninth piping tube 22 i, with a wheel cylinder 32RR of a disk brake mechanism 30 c provided at the rear wheel on the right side. The fourth outlet port 28 d is connected, by a tenth piping tube 22 j, with a wheel cylinder 32FL of a disk brake mechanism 30 d provided at the front wheel on the left side.

In this case, brake fluid is supplied through the piping tubes 22 g-22 j connected with the respective outlet ports 28 a-28 d to the respective wheel cylinders 32FR, 32RL, 32RR, and 32FL of the disk brake mechanisms 30 a-30 d. A rise in the hydraulic pressure in the wheel cylinders 32FR, 32RL, 32RR, or 32FL operates the wheel cylinders 32FR, 32RL, 32RR, or 32FL, and a braking force is applied to the corresponding wheel (the right-side front wheel, the left-side rear wheel, the right-side rear wheel, or the left-side front wheel).

The vehicle brake system 10 is arranged to be mountable on various vehicles including, for example, a vehicle driven only by an engine (internal combustion engine), a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, and a fuel cell vehicle.

Further, the vehicle brake system 10 can be mounted on a vehicle of any driving type, such as a front wheel drive type, a rear wheel drive type, or a four wheel drive type, without limitation of the driving type.

The input device 14 includes a tandem master cylinder 34 capable of generating a hydraulic pressure by an operator's operation of the brake pedal 12 and a first reservoir 36 provided at the master cylinder 34. Inside a cylinder tube 38 of the master cylinder 34, two pistons 40 a and 40 b are slidably arranged, wherein the two pistons 40 a and 40 b are separated from each other with a certain distance along the axial direction of the cylinder tube 38. The one piston 40 a is disposed adjacent to the brake pedal 12 and is connected with the brake pedal 12 through a push rod 42. The other piston 40 b is disposed with a longer distance than the piston 40 a from the brake pedal 12.

A pair of piton packings 44 a and 44 b is attached to the outer circumferential surfaces of the one and the other pistons 40 a and 40 b through an annular stepped portion. Back chambers 48 a and 48 b communicated with later-described supply ports 46 a and 46 b are formed between the pair of packings 44 a and 44 b. Further, a spring member 50 a is arranged between the one and the other pistons 40 a and 40 b. Another spring member 50 b is arranged between the other piston 40 b and the side end portion of the cylinder tube 38.

Incidentally, piston packings 44 a and 44 b may be attached to the inner wall of the cylinder tube 38.

The cylinder tube 38 of the master cylinder 34 is provided with two supply ports 46 a and 46 b, two relief ports 52 a and 52 b, and two output ports 54 a and 54 b. In this case, the respective supply ports 46 a (46 b), and the respective relief ports 52 a (52 b), are arranged to respectively join with each other and communicate with a reservoir chamber, not shown, in the first reservoir 36.

Further, inside the cylinder tube 38 of the master cylinder 34, a first pressure chamber 56 a and a second pressure chamber 56 b are provided to generate a hydraulic brake pressure according to a braking effort applied by the operator to the brake pedal 12. The first pressure chamber 56 a is arranged such as to communicate with the connection port 20 a through a first hydraulic pressure passage 58 a. The second pressure chamber 56 b is arranged such as to communicate with the other connection port 20 b through a second hydraulic pressure passage 58 b.

A pressure sensor Pm is provided between the master cylinder 34 and the connection port 20 a and on the upstream side of the first hydraulic pressure passage 58 a. A first shut-off valve 60 a of a solenoid valve of a normally open type is provided on the downstream side of the first hydraulic pressure passage 58 a. This pressure sensor Pm detects the hydraulic pressure on the upstream side, which is the master cylinder 34 side of the first shut-off valve 60 a, on the first hydraulic pressure passage 58 a.

Between the master cylinder 34 and the other connection port 20 b, a second shut-off valve 60 b of a solenoid valve of a normally open type is arranged on the upstream side of the second hydraulic pressure passage 58 b, and a pressure sensor Pp is arranged on the downstream side of the second hydraulic passage 58 b. On the second hydraulic passage 58 b, this pressure sensor Pp detects the hydraulic pressure on the downstream side of the second shut-off valve 60 b, in other words, on the side of the wheel cylinders 32FR, 32RL, 32RR, and 32FL.

The normal openness of the first shut-off valve 60 a and the second shut-off valve 60 b refers to the type of a valve configured such that the normal position (the position of the valve body when current is not applied) is in a state of being at an open position (always open). Incidentally, in FIG. 1, the first shut-off valve 60 a and the second shut-off valve 60 b are shown in a close state in which a current is applied to the solenoids, and the valve bodies, not shown, are thereby operating.

At a point between the master cylinder 34 and the second shut-off valve 60 b, the second hydraulic pressure passage 58 b is provided with a branched hydraulic passage 58 c branching from the second hydraulic pressure passage 58 b. To the branched hydraulic passage 58 c, serially connected are a third shut-off valve 62 of a solenoid valve of a normally close type and a stroke simulator 64. The normal closing of the third shut-off valve 62 refers to the type of a valve configured such that the normal position (the position of the valve body when current is not applied) is in a state of being at a closed position (always closed). Incidentally, in FIG. 1, the third shut-off valve 62 is shown in a valve open state in which a current is applied to the solenoid, and the valve body, not shown, is thereby operating.

The stroke simulator 64 is a device that makes an operator feel as if a braking force were generated by a braking effort, by generating a stroke and a reaction force of the brake during by-wire control. The stroke simulator 64 is disposed on the second hydraulic pressure passage 58 b and on the master cylinder 34 side of the second shut-off valve 60 b. The stroke simulator 64 is provided with a hydraulic pressure chamber 65 communicating with the branched hydraulic passage 58 c, and is arranged such as to be able to suck brake fluid let out through the hydraulic pressure chamber 65 from the second pressure chamber 56 b of the master cylinder 34.

Further, the stroke simulator 64 includes a first return spring 66 a with a larger spring constant, a second return spring 66 b with a smaller spring constant, the first and the second springs 66 a and 66 b being serially disposed with each other, and a simulator piston 68 urged by the first and second return springs 66 a and 66 b. The stroke simulator 64 is arranged such that the increase gradient of the pedal reaction force is set low during an early stage of pedaling the brake pedal 12, and the pedal reaction force is set high during a later stage of pedaling, so that the pedal feeling of the brake pedal 12 becomes equivalent to that of a time when an existing master cylinder 34 is pedaled.

The configuration of the hydraulic pressure passages is roughly categorized into a first hydraulic system 70 a that connects the first pressure chamber 56 a of the master cylinder 34 and the plurality of wheel cylinders 32FR and 32RL, and a second hydraulic system 70 b that connects the second pressure chamber 56 b of the master cylinder 34 and the plurality of wheel cylinders 32RR and 32FL.

The first hydraulic system 70 a is configured by the first hydraulic pressure passage 58 a connecting the output port 54 a of the master cylinder 34 (cylinder tube 38) of the input device 14 and the connection port 20 a, the piping tubes 22 a and 22 b connecting the connection port 20 a of the input device 14 and the output port 24 a of the motor cylinder device 16, the piping tubes 22 b and 22 c connecting the output port 24 a of the motor cylinder device 16 and the inlet port 26 a of the VSA device 18, and the piping tubes 22 g and 22 h connecting the outlet ports 28 a and 28 b of the VSA device 18 and the respective wheel cylinders 32FR and 32RL.

The second hydraulic system 70 b includes the second hydraulic pressure passage 58 b connecting the output port 54 b of the master cylinder 34 (cylinder tube 38) of the input device 14 and the other connection port 20 b, the piping tubes 22 d and 22 e connecting the other connection port 20 b of the input device 14 and the output port 24 b of the motor cylinder device 16, the piping tubes 22 e and 22 f connecting the output port 24 b of the motor cylinder device 16 and the inlet port 26 b of the VSA device 18, and the piping tubes 22 i and 22 j for connecting the outlet ports 28 c and 28 d of the VSA device 18 and the respective wheel cylinders 32RR and 32FL.

The motor cylinder device 16 includes an actuator mechanism 74 having an electric motor 72 and a cylinder mechanism 76 urged by the actuator mechanism 74.

The actuator mechanism 74 is provided on the output shaft side of the electric motor 72, and provided with a gear mechanism (decelerating mechanism) 78 for transmitting the rotational driving force of the electric motor 72 by engagements between plural gears, and a ball screw assembly 80 that includes a ball screw shaft 80 a, which moves forward and backward along the axial direction by the transmission of the rotational driving force through the gear mechanism 78, and balls 80 b.

In the present embodiment, the ball screw assembly 80 is housed in an actuator housing 172 together with the gear mechanism 78.

The cylinder mechanism 76 includes the cylinder main body 82 substantially in a cylindrical shape and a second reservoir 84 arranged at the cylinder main body 82. The second reservoir 84 is connected by a piping tube 86 with the first reservoir 36 arranged at the master cylinder 34 of the input device 14. Brake fluid reserved in the first reservoir 36 is supplied to the second reservoir 84 through the piping tube 86. Incidentally, a tank for reserving brake fluid may be provided for the piping tube 86.

The first slave piston 88 a and the second slave piston 88 b are slidably arranged inside the cylinder main body 82, wherein the slave pistons 88 a and 88 b are separated from each other with a certain distance along the axial direction of the cylinder main body 82. The first slave piston 88 a is disposed adjacent to the ball screw assembly 80 side, is in contact with one end portion of the ball screw shaft 80 a, and moves in the direction arrow X1 or X2 integrally with the ball screw shaft 80 a. The second slave piston 88 b is disposed farther than the slave piston 88 a from the ball screw assembly 80 side.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, each of the slave piston 88 a and the slave piston 88 b constructs a hydraulic pressure control piston described in claims.

The electric motor 72 in the present embodiment is arranged such as to be covered by a motor casing 72 a formed separately from the cylinder main body 82, wherein an output shaft, not shown, is disposed substantially in parallel with the sliding direction (axial direction) of the slave piston 88 a and the slave piston 88 b. That is, the electric motor 72 is disposed such that the axial direction of the output shaft is substantially in parallel with the axial direction of the hydraulic pressure control pistons.

An arrangement is made such that the rotational driving of the output shaft, not shown, is transmitted to the ball screw assembly 80 through the gear mechanism 78.

The gear mechanism 78 is, for example, configured by a first gear 78 a attached to the output shaft of the electric motor 72, a third gear 78 c for rotating the balls 80 b, which makes the ball screw shaft 80 a move forward and backward along the axial direction, with the axial line of the ball screw shaft 80 a as the center, and a second gear 78 b for transmitting a rotation of the first gear 78 a to the third gear 78 c, wherein the third gear 78 c rotates around the axial line of the ball screw shaft 80 a. Accordingly, the rotational axis of the third gear 78 c is the ball screw shaft 80 a and is parallel to the sliding direction (axial direction) of the hydraulic pressure control pistons (the first slave piston 88 a and the second slave piston 88 b).

As described above, as the output shaft of the electric motor 72 and the axial direction of the hydraulic pressure control pistons are substantially parallel to each other, the output shaft of the electric motor 72 and the rotational shaft of the third gear 78 c are substantially parallel to each other.

By arranging the rotational axis of the second gear 78 b such to be substantially parallel to the output shaft of the electric motor 72, the output shaft of the electric motor 72, the rotational axis of the second gear 78 b, and the rotational axis of the third gear 78 c are disposed substantially parallel to each other.

With such an arrangement, the electric motor 72 can be disposed at a position with an arbitrary rotation with the axial line of the first slave piston 88 a and the second slave piston 88 b as the rotational center.

A pair of slave piston packings 90 a and 90 b are attached on the outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second slave pistons 88 a and 88 b through an annular stepped portion. A first back chamber 94 a and a second back chamber 94 b are formed, which are respectively communicated with later-described reservoir ports 92 a and 92 b, are formed between the pair of the slave piston packings 90 a and 90 b. Further, a first return spring 96 a is arranged between the first and second slave pistons 88 a and 88 b, and a second return spring 96 b is arranged between the second slave piston 88 b and the side end portion of the cylinder main body 82.

The cylinder main body 82 of the cylinder mechanism 76 is provided with the two reservoir ports 92 a and 92 b and the two output ports 24 a and 24 b. In this case, the reservoir port 92 a (92 b) is arranged such as to communicate with a reservoir chamber, not shown, in the second reservoir 84.

A first hydraulic pressure chamber 98 a is provided in the cylinder main body 82 to control the hydraulic brake pressure that is output from the output port 24 a to the wheel cylinders 32FR and 32RL side. Further, a second hydraulic pressure chamber 98 b is provided in the cylinder main body 82 to control the hydraulic brake pressure that is output from the other output port 24 b to the wheel cylinders 32RR and 32FL side.

Restricting means 100 is provided between the first slave piston 88 a and the second slave piston 88 b to restrict the maximum stroke (the maximum displacement distance) and the minimum stroke (the minimum displacement distance) of the slave piston 88 a and the slave piston 88 b. Further, the second slave piston 88 b is provided with a stopper pin 102 that restricts the sliding range of the second slave piston 88 b, and inhibits over return of the slave piston 88 b to the slave piston 88 a side. Thus, the restricting means 100 and the stopper pin 102 prevent a defect of another system at the time of a defect of one system, particularly at the time of backup when braking is carried out the master cylinder 34.

The VSA device 18 is a known one and includes a first brake system 110 a for control of the first hydraulic system 70 a connected to the disk brake mechanisms 30 a and 30 b (wheel cylinders 32FR and 32RL) for the right-side front wheel and the left-side rear wheel. Further, the VSA device 18 includes a second brake system 110 b for control of the second hydraulic system 70 b connected to the disk brake mechanisms 30 c and 30 d (wheel cylinders 32RR and 32FL) for the right-side rear wheel and the left-side front wheel. Incidentally, the first brake system 110 a may be formed by a hydraulic system connected to disk brake mechanisms arranged at the left-side front wheel and the right-side front wheel, and the second brake system 110 b may be formed by a hydraulic system connected to disk brake mechanisms arranged at the left-side rear wheel and the right-side rear wheel. Further, the first brake system 110 a may be formed by a hydraulic system connected to disk brake mechanisms arranged at the right-side front wheel and the right-side rear wheel on one side of the vehicle body, and the second brake system 110 b may be formed by a hydraulic system connected to disk brake mechanisms arranged at the left-side front wheel and the left-side rear wheel on the other one side of the vehicle body.

As the first brake system 110 a and the second brake system 110 b have the same structure, the same reference symbols are assigned to elements corresponding between the first brake system 110 a and the second brake system 110 b. In the following, the first brake system 110 a will be mainly described while describing the second brake system 110 b with bracketed notes.

The first brake system 110 a (the second brake system 110 b) has a first shared hydraulic passage 112 and a second shared hydraulic passage 114 shared by the wheel cylinders 32FR and 32RL (32RR and 32FL). The VSA device 18 includes a regulator valve 116, which is a normal-open type solenoid valve disposed between the inlet port 26 a and the first shared hydraulic passage 112, a first check valve 118 that is arranged in parallel with the regulator valve 116 to allow the brake fluid to flow from the inlet port 26 a side to the first shared hydraulic passage 112 side (while inhibiting the brake fluid from flowing from the first shared hydraulic passage 112 side to the inlet port 26 a side), and a first invalve 120, which is a normally open type solenoid valve disposed between the first shared hydraulic passage 112 and the first outlet port 28 a. Further, the VSA device 18 includes a second check valve 122 that allows the brake fluid to flow from the first outlet port 28 a side to the first shared hydraulic passage 112 side (while inhibiting the brake fluid from flowing from the first shared hydraulic passage 112 side to the first outlet port 28 a side), the second check valve 122 being arranged parallel with the first invalve 120, a second invalve 124, which is a normally open type solenoid valve disposed between the first shared hydraulic passage 112 and the second outlet port 28 b, and a third check valve 126 that allows the brake fluid to flow from the second outlet port 28 b side to the first shared hydraulic passage 112 side (while inhibiting the brake fluid from flowing from the first shared hydraulic passage 112 side to the second outlet port 28 b side), the third check valve 126 being arranged parallel to the second invalve 124.

Still further, the VSA device 18 includes a first outvalve 128, which is a normally closed type solenoid valve disposed between the first outlet port 28 a and the second shared hydraulic passage 114, a second outvalve 130, which is a normally closed type solenoid valve disposed between the second outlet port 28 b and the second shared hydraulic passage 114, a reservoir 132 connected to the second shared hydraulic passage 114, a fourth check valve 134 that is disposed between the first shared hydraulic passage 112 and the second shared hydraulic passage 114 to allow the brake fluid to flow from the second shared hydraulic passage 114 side to the first shared hydraulic passage 112 side (while inhibiting the brake fluid from flowing from the first shared hydraulic passage 112 side to the second shared hydraulic passage 114 side), a pump 136 that is disposed between the fourth check valve 134 and the first shared hydraulic passage 112 to supply the brake fluid from the second shared hydraulic passage 114 side to the first shared hydraulic passage 112 side, a suction valve 138 and a discharge valve 140 provided before and after the pump 136, a motor M for driving the pump 136, and a suction valve 142 disposed between the second shared hydraulic passage 114 and the inlet port 26 a.

Incidentally, in the first brake system 110 a, a pressure sensor Ph is provided on the hydraulic passage adjacent to the inlet port 26 a to detect the hydraulic brake pressure having been output from the output port 24 a of the motor cylinder device 16 and controlled by the first hydraulic pressure chamber 98 a of the motor cylinder device 16. Detection signals detected by the respective pressure sensors Pm, Pp, and Ph are introduced to control means, not shown. Further, the VSA device 18 can perform ABS (Anti-lock brake system) control in addition to VSA control.

Further, an arrangement also may be made by connecting an ABS unit provided with only an ABS function.

The vehicle brake system 10 in the present embodiment is basically configured as described above, and the operation and advantages thereof will be described below.

During normal operation when the vehicle brake system 10 normally functions, the first shut-off valve 60 a and the second shut-off valve 60 b, which are normally open type solenoid valves, turn into a valve close state by being magnetically excited, and the third shut-off valve 62, which is a normally closed type solenoid valve, turns into a valve open state by being magnetically excited. Accordingly, as the first hydraulic system 70 a and the second hydraulic system 70 b are shut off by the first shut-off valve 60 a and the second shut-off valve 60 b, it does not occur that a hydraulic brake pressure generated by the master cylinder 34 of the input device 14 is transmitted to the wheel cylinders 32FR, 32RL, 32RR, and 32FL of the disk brake mechanisms 30 a-30 d.

At this moment, a hydraulic brake pressure generated by the second pressure chamber 56 b of the master cylinder 34 is transmitted through the branched hydraulic passage 58 c and the third shut-off valve 62 in the valve open state to the hydraulic pressure chamber 65 of the stroke simulator 64. The hydraulic brake pressure supplied to the hydraulic pressure chamber 65 displaces the simulator piston 68 against the spring forces of the springs 66 a and 66 b, and a stroke of the brake pedal 12 is thereby allowed and a pseudo petal reaction force is generated to be applied to the brake pedal 12. As a result, a brake feeling without a strange feeling for a driver can be obtained.

In such a system state, when the control means, not shown, has detected pedaling of the brake pedal 12 by the operator, the control means drives the electric motor 72 of the motor cylinder device 16 to urge the actuator mechanism 74, and displaces the first slave piston 88 a and the second slave piston 88 b toward the direction arrow X1 in FIG. 1 against the spring forces of the first return spring 96 a and the second return spring 96 b. By the displacements of the first slave piston 88 a and the second slave piston 88 b, the hydraulic brake pressures inside the first hydraulic pressure chamber 98 a and the second hydraulic pressure chamber 98 b are increased, balancing with each other, and a desired hydraulic brake pressure is thus generated.

Concretely, the control means, not shown, computes the pedaling operation amount of the brake pedal 12, according to a detection value by the pressure sensor Pm, and controls the motor cylinder device 16 to generate a hydraulic brake pressure corresponding to this pedaling operation amount.

Then, the hydraulic brake pressure generated by the motor cylinder device 16 is supplied from the inlet ports 26 a and 26 b to the VSA device 18. That is, the motor cylinder device 16 drives the first slave piston 88 a and the second slave piston 88 b by the rotational driving force of the electric motor 72, which rotationally drives by an electric signal when the brake pedal 12 is operated, generates a hydraulic brake pressure, according to an operation amount of the brake pedal 12, and supplies the hydraulic brake pressure to the VSA device 18.

An electric signal in the present embodiment is a control signal, for example, for controlling the power to drive the electric motor 72 or controlling the electric motor 72.

Incidentally, the manner of computing, by the control means not shown, a pedaling amount of the brake pedal 12 from a detection value by the pressure sensor Pm is not limited, and for example, referring to a map representing the relationship between a detection value by the pressure sensor Pm and a pedaling operation amount of the brake pedal 12, a pedaling operation amount of the brake pedal 12 according to a detection value by the pressure sensor Pm may be computed. Such a map is desired to be set in advance by experimental measurement or the like during designing.

Further, operation amount detecting means for detecting the pedaling operation amount of the brake pedal 12 is not limited to the pressure sensor Pm, and may be, for example, a sensor (stroke sensor or the like) for detecting the stroke amount of the brake pedal 12.

These hydraulic brake pressures of the first hydraulic pressure chamber 98 a and the second hydraulic pressure chamber 98 b in the motor cylinder device 16 are transmitted through the first invalve 120 and the second invalve 124 of the VSA device 18 which are in the valve open state, to the wheel cylinders 32FR, 32RL, 32RR, and 32FL of the disk brake mechanisms 30 a-30 d. By operation of the wheel cylinders 32FR, 32RL, 32RR, and 32FL, desired braking forces are applied to the respective wheels.

In other words, by the vehicle brake system 10 in the present embodiment, during a normal state when the motor cylinder device 16 that functions as a dynamic hydraulic pressure source, control means not shown for by-wire control, and the like are operable, a so-called brake by-wire type brake system becomes active wherein in a state that communication between the master cylinder 34, which generates a hydraulic brake pressure by an operator's pedaling of the brake pedal 12, and the disk brake mechanisms 30 a-30 d (wheel cylinders 32FR, 32RL, 32RR, an32FL) that brake the respective wheels are shut off by the first shut-off valve 60 a and the second shut-off valve 60 b, the disk brake mechanisms 30 a-30 d are operated by the hydraulic brake pressure generated by the motor cylinder device 16. Accordingly, the present embodiment can be suitably applied to a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle or the like, in which a negative pressure that could be caused by a conventional internal combustion engine does not exist.

On the other hand, during an abnormal state when the motor cylinder device 16 or the like is inoperable, a so-called conventional hydraulic type brake system becomes active, wherein the first shut-off valve 60 a and the second shut-off valve 60 b are respectively made in a valve open state, and the third shut-off valve 62 is made in a valve close state so as to transmit a hydraulic brake pressure generated by the master cylinder 34 to the disk brake mechanisms 30 a-30 d (wheel cylinders 32FR, 32RL, 32RR, 32FL) and thereby operate the disk brake mechanisms 30 a-30 d (wheel cylinders 32FR, 32RL, 32RR, and 32FL).

For example, a hybrid automobile or an electric automobile, which includes a running electrical machine (running motor), can be provided with a regenerative brake for generating a braking force by regenerating power by an electrical machine for running. In a case of arrangement such that, when the brake pedal 12 is operated, a braking force is generated by a regenerative brake in addition to a braking force generated by the disk brake mechanisms 30 a-30 d, if the wheel cylinders 32FR, 32RL, 32RR, and 32FL are made operate with hydraulic brake pressure generated by the first pressure chamber 56 a and the second pressure chamber 56 b of the master cylinder 34, the brake force generated by the regenerative brake becomes an excessive braking force, and a braking force larger than a braking force that the operator intends to generate is generated.

In order to avoid such a state, the control means, not shown, preferably generates a hydraulic brake pressure by the motor cylinder device 16 such as to combine a braking force generated by the disk brake mechanism 30 a-30 d and a braking force generated by the regenerative brake, thereby generating a satisfactory braking force. A satisfactory braking force can be generated by providing a hybrid automobile or an electric automobile with the vehicle brake system 10 controlled by control means in such a manner.

In case that the vehicle brake system 10 with such an arrangement is mounted on a vehicle, for example as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the input device 14, the motor cylinder device 16, and the VSA device 18 are configured in separate bodies and disposed in a housing room (power plant housing room 2 a), in which the power plant 2 of the vehicle 1 is housed, in a state of being appropriately dispersed, thus being attached to the housing room. The power plant 2 is a vehicle power unit for generating a power for running the vehicle 1, and is an internal combustion engine, a running electric machine provided on an electric automobile, an integrated unit of an internal combustion engine and a running electric machine provided on a hybrid automobile, or the like.

The power plant housing room 2 a is formed, for example on the front side of the vehicle 1, being partitioned by a living space (cabin 3) for an operator and other passengers and a dashboard 3 a. The power plant housing room 2 a houses the power plant 2, the vehicle brake system 10 (the input device 14, the motor cylinder device 16, the VSA device 18), and in addition, auxiliary units, not shown, Further, on the top of the power plant housing room 2 a, a housing room cover 2 b is arranged being openable/closeable.

Front side members 7 extend on the left and right sides of the power plant housing room 2 a, wherein the front side members 7 are arranged, extending along the front/rear direction on the left and right sides of the vehicle 1.

Incidentally, the respective directions rear/front, upper/lower, and left/right represent the rear/front, upper/lower, and left/right directions of the vehicle 1. For example, the upper/lower direction (vehicle upper/lower direction) refers to the vertical direction at the vehicle 1 on a horizontal plane, and the left/right direction refers to the left/right direction in a view from the rear toward the front of the vehicle 1.

The power plant 2 is disposed between the left/right front side members 7 in the power plant housing room 2 a, and is supported by an antivibration support device 8 fixed to a sub-frame, not shown. A space is formed in the left/right direction between the left/right front side members 7 and the power plant 2.

Further, a space is formed above the power plant 2 between the power plant 2 and the housing room cover 2 b.

In the present embodiment, the input device 14, the motor cylinder device 16, and the VSA device 18, which are configured in separate bodies, are housed in the power plant housing room 2 a, and the motor cylinder device 16 is attached such that a part of the cylinder main body 82 is disposed in a space formed between the power plant 2 and the housing room cover 2 b. Further, the electric motor 72 is disposed higher than the cylinder main body 82. That is, the power plant 2 and the cylinder main body 82 are disposed such as to overlap with each other at least partially with respect to the vehicle upper/lower direction.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, a state that the electric motor 72 is disposed higher than the cylinder main body 82 refers to a state that the electric motor 72 is disposed such that the axial line of the output shaft (not shown), which is disposed substantially parallel to the axial direction of the first slave piston 88 a and the second slave piston 88 b (the hydraulic pressure control pistons) on either the left side or right side of the vehicle 1 (see FIG. 2), shown in FIG. 1, is higher in the vehicle upper/lower direction than the axial line of the first slave piston 88 a and the second slave piston 88 b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the motor cylinder device 16 in the present embodiment is structured such that the actuator housing 172, which houses the gear mechanism 78 (see FIG. 1) and the ball screw assembly 80 (see FIG. 1), and the cylinder main body 82 are dividable with the plane substantially perpendicular to the axial line of the cylinder main body 82 as a dividing plane. The motor cylinder device 16 is structured such that the cylinder main body 82 is connected to the actuator housing 172, and the electric motor 72 is attached to the actuator housing 172.

The cylinder main body 82 is connected to the front of the actuator housing 172. Concretely, the actuator housing 172 is provided with an opening portion 172 a opening forward through which the ball screw shaft 80 a forward protrudes. The cylinder main body 82 is connected with the front of the actuator housing 172 wherein a hollow portion (not shown), in which the first slave piston 88 a (see FIG. 1) and the second slave piston 88 b (see FIG. 1) slide, communicates with the opening portion 172 a.

For example, the actuator housing 172 is arranged such that a flange portion 175 formed by extension of the periphery of the opening portion 172 a in the left/right direction, and, for example, two screw holes 176 are open through the flange portion 175.

On the other hand, the end portion of the cylinder main body 82, the end portion being on the actuator housing 172 side, is also extending in the left/right direction to form a flange portion 820. The flange portion 820 is provided with cylinder attaching holes 821 at the positions corresponding to the screw holes 176 of the actuator housing 172.

The flange portion 820 of the cylinder main body 82 and the flange portion 175 of the actuator housing 172 are disposed such as to face each other, and fastening members 822, such as bolts, are screwed into the screw holes 176 through the cylinder attaching holes 821 from the cylinder main body 82 side so that the cylinder main body 82 is fixed to the actuator housing 172 by fastening.

In such a manner, the cylinder main body 82 is connected to the front of the actuator housing 172, and the ball screw shaft 80 a protruding from the opening portion 172 a contacts with the first slave piston 88 a (see FIG. 1) inside the cylinder main body 82.

Further, the electric motor 72 is attached, above the cylinder main body 82, to the actuator housing 172 such that the axial direction of the output shaft, not shown, is parallel to the axial direction of the first slave piston 88 a (see FIG. 1) and the second slave piston 88 b (see FIG. 1), in other words, the axial direction of the cylinder main body 82.

For example, the second gear 78 b (see FIG. 1) is disposed higher than the third gear 78 c (see FIG. 1), and the actuator housing 172 is extending upward to house the third gear 78 c and the second gear 78 b. Further, the actuator housing 172 has a first gear room 172 b in which the first gear 78 a is housed such as to be engageable with the second gear 78 b, wherein the first gear room 172 b is open at the front and disposed higher than the second gear 78 b.

The electric motor 72 is attached to the actuator housing 172 from front such that the first gear 78 a (see FIG. 1) attached to the output shaft, not shown, is housed in the first gear room 172 b and engages with the second gear 78 b.

The structure where the electric motor 72 is attached to the actuator housing 172 is not limited thereto.

For example, the motor casing 72 a has a structure where the end portion on the actuator housing 172 side extends peripherally to form a flange portion 161, and the flange portion 161 is provided with motor attaching holes 162 which fastening members 162 a, such as bolts, penetrate through.

The actuator housing 172 has screw holes 174 at the positions corresponding to the motor attaching holes 162.

The electric motor 72 is attached to the actuator housing 172 from the front side (the same side as the side where the cylinder main body 82 is connected) such that the output shaft (not shown) to which the first gear 78 a (see FIG. 1) is attached is substantially parallel with the axial direction of the cylinder main body 82 and the first gear 78 a is housed in the first gear room 172 b to engage with the second gear 78 b (see FIG. 1). Further, the fastening members 162 a are screwed into the screw holes 174 through the motor attaching holes 162 from the electric motor 72 side, and the motor casing 72 a is thus fixed to the actuator housing 172 by fastening.

By this arrangement, the cylinder main body 82 and the electric motor 72 are disposed on the same side of the actuator housing 172.

In such a manner, the motor cylinder device 16 in the present embodiment is arranged such that the cylinder main body 82 is connected to the actuator housing 172, and further, the electric motor 72 is attached such as to be disposed higher than the cylinder main body 82.

The motor cylinder device 16 is, for example, attached to the dashboard 3 a of the power plant housing room 2 a through a bracket 2 a 1. The structure of fixing the motor cylinder device 16 in the power plant housing room 2 a is not limited, and may be a structure of attaching the motor cylinder device 16 to a sub-frame, not shown, or the like.

As an example, the motor cylinder device 16 may be attached to a bracket 2 a 1 formed as shown in FIG. 5.

For example, fixing bosses 82 a protruding in the left/right direction, in which a screw hole 82 a 1 is processed, are formed on the cylinder main body 82 of the motor cylinder device 16.

The bracket 2 a 1 is substantially in a U-shape opening upward in a view from the front, and sandwiches the fixing boss 82 a of the cylinder main body 82 from the left/right sides. Further, a notch portion (or a penetration hole) 200 is formed at a position corresponding to the screw hole 82 a 1 of the fixing boss 82 a.

Arrangement can be made such that a fastening member 201, such as a bolt, passes through the notch portion (or the penetration hole) of the bracket 2 a 1 and is screwed in a screw hole 82 a 1 of the sandwiched fixing boss 82 a through a buffer member 202 or the like so that the motor cylinder device 16 is fixed to the bracket 2 a 1 by the fastening member 201.

The number of fixing boss 82 a formed on the cylinder main body 82 is not limited, and more than one fixing boss 82 a may be formed per side.

Symbol 203 represents a protrusion portion for defining the position of the motor cylinder device 16, and the protrusion portion 203 is formed such as to engage with an engagement hole (not shown) formed on the cylinder main body 82 through a buffer member 204.

The bracket 2 a 1 formed in such a manner is fixed to, for example, the dashboard 3 a (see FIG. 2) of the power plant housing room 2 a (see FIG. 2), and the motor cylinder device 16 is thereby disposed in the power plant housing room 2 a.

The motor cylinder device 16 disposed in the power plant housing room 2 a in such a manner is attached, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 such that the longitudinal direction of the cylinder main body 82 faces forward and a part or the entire of the cylinder main body 82 is disposed higher than the power plant 2. That is, the motor cylinder device 16 is attached such that at least a part of the cylinder main body 82 overlaps with the power plant 2 with respect to the vehicle upper/lower direction.

As described above, as a space is formed between the power plant 2 and the housing room cover 2 b, the cylinder main body 82 is disposed in this space, and it is thereby possible to avoid interference between the cylinder main body 82 and the power plant 2 or the housing room cover 2 b.

The space formed above the power plant 2 is often a space with a small capacity due to effects of other auxiliary units or the like, namely a so-called dead space. In contrast, in the present embodiment, regarding the motor cylinder device 16, the cylinder main body 82 side with a relatively small volume is disposed toward this space, and the space can thereby be used as a space where at least a part of the cylinder main body 82 is disposed. Thus, the space in the power plant housing room 2 a can be effectively used.

In such a manner, at least a part of the motor cylinder device 16 in the present embodiment is disposed in the space which could easily become a dead space, and the motor cylinder device 16 can be disposed in the power plant housing room 2 a with a high space efficiency.

Further, the electric motor 72 disposed higher than the cylinder main body 82 may be, as shown in FIG. 6, disposed at a position to which the electric motor 72 is rotated, with the axial line of the cylinder main body 82 as the center of rotation, toward the space side formed between the power plant 2 and a front side member 7, namely, in the direction going away from the power plant 2.

By this arrangement, for example, the upward protrusion amount of the motor cylinder device 16 due to the electric motor 72 can be made small, and even in a case that the space along the vehicle upper/lower direction formed above the power plant 2 between the power plant 2 and the housing room cover 2 b (see FIG. 2) is small, the motor cylinder device 16 can be disposed in the space.

Further, as the electric motor 72 is disposed in the space formed between the power plant 2 and the front side member 7, the space formed between the power plant 2 and the front side member 7 can be effectively used.

Also in this point, the motor cylinder device 16 can be disposed in the power plant housing room 2 a with a high space efficiency.

Further, in the present embodiment, as the electric motor 72 is disposed higher than the cylinder main body 82, even in the event that brake fluid charged in the first hydraulic pressure chamber 98 a (see FIG. 1) and the second hydraulic pressure chamber 98 b (see FIG. 1) of the cylinder main body 82 leaks out, it does not occur that the brake fluid enters inside the electric motor 72.

Still further, even in the event that a foreign object or matter such as a pebble or gravel that is bounced up into the power plant housing room 2 a from below mainly from a road surface by running of the vehicle 1, or water splashes into the power plant housing room 2 a from below when the vehicle 1 runs on a puddle, it is prevented by the cylinder main body 82 that the foreign object or matter such as a pebble, gravel, water splash or the like reaches the electric motor 72, and the electric motor 72 can be thereby protected.

Incidentally, arrangement may be made such that the motor cylinder device 16 is provided lower than the power plant 2. In this case, an under-guard in a plate shape, not shown, may be attached under the motor cylinder device 16 so that a foreign object or matter such as a pebble, gravel, water splash or the like, which is bounced up by running of the vehicle 1, does not hit the cylinder main body 82. Such an under-guard is attached, for example, to a front side member 7, a cross member of a sub-frame, not shown, or the like.

Further, as the electric motor 72 is disposed higher than the cylinder main body 82, it is not necessary to ensure a space for disposing the electric motor 72 in the left/right direction of the cylinder main body 82, which improves the space efficiency.

Still further, as the cylinder main body 82 is present between the electric motor 72 and the power plant 2, heat generated by the power plant 2 is not directly transferred to the electric motor 72, and a rise in temperature of the electric motor 72 due to heat generation by the power plant 2 can be inhibited.

Yet further, the space formed between the power plant 2 and the front side member 7 can be made a space that is open upward. In this case, for example, air flowing into the power plant housing room 2 a, for example, during running of the vehicle 1 can be made effectively hit the electric motor 72 to increase a cooling effect on the electric motor 72. Thus, the electric motor 72 can be effectively cooled.

Incidentally, in case that the power plant 2 and even a part of the cylinder main body 82 cannot be disposed, overlapping with each other with respect to the vehicle upper/lower direction, such as a case that the space formed between the power plant 2 and the housing room cover 2 b (see FIG. 2) is narrow, the motor cylinder device 16 may be disposed, for example, on the left side (or the right side) of the power plant 2 as shown in FIGS. 7( a) and (b). That is, the motor cylinder device 16 may be disposed in the space formed between the power plant 2 and the front side member 7. Still further, the motor cylinder device 16 may be disposed in the power plant housing room 2 a such that the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the cylinder main body 82 faces forward, and the axial direction of the first slave piston 88 a (see FIG. 1) and the second slave piston 88 b (see FIG. 1) is along the extending direction of the front side member 7. Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 7( b), the electric motor 72 is preferably disposed higher than the cylinder main body 82.

Yet further, as shown in FIG. 7( b), the electric motor 72 may be disposed at a position rotated, with the axial line of the cylinder main body 82 as the center of rotation, in the direction getting away from the power plant 2, in other words, in the direction toward the outer side of the vehicle 1. As the axial direction of the cylinder main body 82 agrees with the axial direction of the first slave piston 88 a (see FIG. 1) and the second slave piston 88 b (see FIG. 1), the electric motor 72 is disposed at a position rotated in the direction getting away from the power plant 2, with the axial line of the first slave piston 88 a and the second slave piston 88 b as the center of rotation.

If the electric motor 72 is disposed in such a manner, a desirable gap is formed between the power plant 2 and the electric motor 72 so that transfer of the heat of the power plant 2 to the electric motor 72 is inhibited, and rising in temperature of the electric motor 72 caused by heat generation by the power plant 2 can be inhibited. Further, when the vehicle 1 (see FIG. 2) runs, as air flowing into the power plant housing room 2 a flows in the periphery of the electric motor 72, the electric motor 72 can be effectively cooled.

As described above, when the motor cylinder device 16 (see FIG. 2) is disposed in the power plant housing room 2 a (see FIG. 2), in the vehicle brake system 10 (see FIG. 1) in the present embodiment, at least a part of the cylinder main body 82 (see FIG. 2) is disposed in the space formed above the power plant 2 (see FIG. 2) between the power plant 2 and the housing room cover 2 b (see FIG. 2). Further, the electric motor 72 (see FIG. 2) is disposed higher than the cylinder main body 82.

By this arrangement, the space formed above the power plant 2 is effectively used, and the space efficiency in disposing the motor cylinder device 16 in the power plant housing room 2 a is improved. Further, even in the event that brake fluid leaks out from the cylinder main body 82, it is possible to prevent the brake fluid from hitting the electric motor 72 and entering inside the electric motor 72. Further, the electric motor 72 can be protected against a pebble, gravel, or water splash that is bounced up into the power plant housing room 2 a from below by running of the vehicle 1 (see FIG. 2).

Further, rising in temperature of the electric motor 72 due to heat generation by the power plant 2 can be inhibited, which enables effective cooling of the electric motor 72.

Still further, in case that the power plant 2 and even a part of the cylinder main body 82 cannot be disposed, overlapping with each other with respect to the vehicle upper/lower direction, such as a case that the space formed between the power plant 2 (see FIG. 2) and the housing room cover 2 b (see FIG. 2) is narrow, arrangement may be made such that the motor cylinder device 16 is disposed, for example, on the left side (or the right side) of the power plant 2 as shown in FIGS. 7( a) and (b), and the electric motor 72 is disposed higher than the cylinder main body 82. That is, the motor cylinder device 16 may be disposed in the space formed between the power plant 2 and the front side member 7. Further, the motor cylinder device 16 may be disposed in the power plant housing room 2 a such that the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the cylinder main body 82 faces forward, and the axial direction of the first slave piston 88 a (see FIG. 1) and the second slave piston 88 b (see FIG. 1) is along the extending direction of the front side member 7. Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 7( b), the electric motor 72 is preferably disposed higher than the cylinder main body 82.

Yet further, as shown in FIG. 7( b), the electric motor 72 may be disposed at a position rotated, with the axial line of the cylinder main body 82 as the center of rotation, in the direction getting away from the power plant 2, in other words, in the direction toward the outer side of the vehicle 1. As the axial direction of the cylinder main body 82 agrees with the axial direction of the first slave piston 88 a (see FIG. 1) and the second slave piston 88 b (see FIG. 1), the electric motor 72 is disposed at a position rotated in the direction getting away from the power plant 2, with the axial line of the first slave piston 88 a and the second slave piston 88 b as the center of rotation.

By this arrangement, the motor cylinder device 16 can be disposed in the space between the power plant 2 and the front side member 7, and the space in the power plant housing room 2 a can be effectively used.

Further, the electric motor 72 can be inhibited from rising in temperature due to heat generation by the power plant 2, and the electric motor 72 can be further effectively cooled.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   1 . . . vehicle -   2 . . . power plant (vehicle power unit) -   2 a . . . power plant housing room (housing room) -   7 . . . front side member -   10 . . . vehicle brake system -   12 . . . brake pedal (brake operation section) -   14 . . . input device -   16 . . . motor cylinder device (electric brake actuator) -   72 . . . electric motor -   72 a . . . motor casing -   82 . . . cylinder main body -   88 a . . . first slave piston (hydraulic pressure control piston) -   88 b . . . second slave piston (hydraulic control piston) 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A vehicle brake system, comprising: an input device to which braking operation by an operator is input, wherein the input device is comprises a master cylinder; an electric brake actuator which is fixed to a vehicle body at a position different from the master cylinder; and a vehicle power unit; wherein the input device, the electric brake actuator and the vehicle power unit are arranged in a housing room which is located between a pair of front side members extending in a front-rear direction on both sides of a vehicle, and wherein the electric brake actuator comprises a cylinder body; a hydraulic pressure control piston which is accommodated in the cylinder body; an electric motor which drives the hydraulic pressure control piston in accordance with at least the braking operation to generate brake hydraulic pressure; a motor casing which covers the electric motor, wherein the motor casing is formed separately from the cylinder body; and a reservoir which is connected to an upper part of the cylinder body; wherein the electric motor is disposed at a position higher than the cylinder body, being offset in a left or right direction with respect to axial lines of the hydraulic pressure control piston and the cylinder body, wherein an output shaft of the electric motor is substantially parallel to the axial line of the hydraulic pressure control piston; at least a part of the cylinder body is arranged in a space formed between the vehicle power unit and a housing room cover for the housing room, the housing room cover being arranged above the housing room; and the electric motor is arranged above a space formed between the motor power unit and the front side members. 